Our friend, Mark Mullery, Senior Pastor of Sovereign Grace Church of Fairfax, Va., preached from Psalm 46 this past Sunday. Mark made the passage’s message clear: the Lord does not promise Christians they will not face trials; but that almighty God will be a very present help in those times of trouble.

Options for reviewing the message:

• Watch the sermon online.
• Listen to a downloadable MP3 of the sermon.
• Read and review the PDF version of the study guide.

Questions for reflection and application:

1. Take time to read Psalm 46.

2. Has there ever been a time in your life that you felt as if everything was shaking? Did you feel like you had any control over these circumstances? Why or why not?

3. Do you feel like God is a refuge and shelter for you to go to when trouble strikes? What has shaped or influenced your view of God as a very present help in trouble? Are there any other truths from God’s Word that encourage you in times of trouble?

4. Do you know deep in your soul that you are not alone when troubles strike? How does it make you feel knowing that if you are in Christ, God is always near when troubles strike?

5. Do you feel being in the midst of the city of God (the church) is a safe place when your world is shaken? Why or why not? How does it make you feel knowing that God is in the midst of His people? Are there any other places you are drawn to when troubles strike? Are these places safe?

This past Sunday, pastor Robin Boisvert preached from Matthew 7:13-29. In his sermon on the call to discipleship, Robin expounds on the fact that a disciple of Jesus Christ will express obedience to his Lord, not in order to be accepted, but because he has already been accepted.

Options for reviewing the message:

• Watch the sermon online.
• Listen to a downloadable MP3 of the sermon.
• Read and review the PDF version of the study guide.

Questions for reflection and application:

1. Take time to read Matthew 7:13-23.

2. In this passage Jesus makes it clear that there are only two ways: a narrow gate and a broad one, a good tree and a bad one, a false disciple and a true one, and a good foundation and a bad one. One leads to life, while the other leads to destruction. How does Jesus’ teaching compare to our culture’s notions about spirituality?

3. In view of Jesus’ teaching on false prophets, what steps should we take to strengthen our discernment?

4. According to this passage, what is the difference between the true disciple and the false one?

5. Has this passage provoked you to self-examination? If so, do you have a trusted friend or pastor with whom you can walk through that process?

6. How does Matthew 11:28-30 shed light on Jesus call to discipleship?

• Watch the sermon online.
• Listen to a downloadable MP3 of the sermon.
• Read and review the PDF version of the study guide.

Questions for reflection and application:

1. Take time as a Care Group to read Matthew 5:17 - 7:12.

2. How does the Golden Rule sum up the second great commandment: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39)?

3. How well do you keep the Golden Rule? Why is it an “impossible left to myself” rule to keep?

4. How is obedience to the Golden Rule made possible by your union with Christ? In what specific ways has the Lord transformed your heart to enable you to keep this rule?

5. What opportunities is God giving you to love others as you love yourself, to do to others what you wish they would do to you?

6. Are there any situations in which the Spirit is bringing conviction in which you have failed to love, to forgive, to extend mercy, or to lay down your rights, desires or plans? What would it look like to walk out repentance and/or reconciliation?

November 4 was Orphan Sunday, and pastor Ben Wikner preached from John 14:18 and James 1:27, titling his sermon “I Will Not Leave You as Orphans.” He explained that because we were once spiritual orphans who were adopted into God’s family, Christians are now called to show the same level of love and care to physical orphans.

Options for reviewing the message:

• Watch the sermon online.
• Listen to a downloadable MP3 of the sermon.
• Read and review the PDF version of the study guide.

Questions for reflection and application:

1. Take time to read John 14:18 and James 1:27.

2. Do you view God as a loving Father towards you? If not, why do you think you do not view God in this way?

3. Do you see yourself as an orphan without hope apart from being adopted by God? Do you think God adopted you because you were “adoptable”? Why or why not?

4. In what way do you think God is calling you to help care for and show the love of the Father to orphans?

5. How can you show the love of the Father to orphans and those around you who are spiritual orphans?

Many of you have seen and heard of the difficulties of our neighbors in New York and New Jersey in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. In response to the needs of the people in these areas, one of the members of Covenant Life Church is planning to send a truck and trailer with food and supplies in an effort to bring some relief.

- Sunday Morning before and after both services (11/4)
- Before and after the Members Meeting Sunday night (11/4, 6 p.m.)
- Monday morning (before 9 a.m.)

The supplies will be transported on Monday (11/5) to distribution points and communities that are in need. Please pray for the safety of those involved, and that the Lord will lead this effort for his glory.